Infographic: Corn: Food or Fuel?
Please note that we are not authorised to provide any investment advice. The content on this page is for information purposes only.
Biofuels derived from corn were once considered a sustainable energy alternative: Clean, green and renewable. But is this just another marketing myth?
Corn was first subsidised in the late ‘70s as a fossil fuel alternative but it has turned out to be an inefficient source of fuel. For starters, corn ethanol consumes 6 times more energy than it produces and emits greenhouse gases at a higher rate than gasoline. Yet, the US pays $10 to $30 billion dollars each year in farm subsidies to produce even more of it, despite not having any clear benefit to consumers.
Biofuels derived from corn were once considered a sustainable energy alternative: Clean, green and renewable. But is this just another marketing myth?
Corn was first subsidised in the late ‘70s as a fossil fuel alternative but it has turned out to be an inefficient source of fuel. For starters, corn ethanol consumes 6 times more energy than it produces and emits greenhouse gases at a higher rate than gasoline. Yet, the US pays $10 to $30 billion dollars each year in farm subsidies to produce even more of it, despite not having any clear benefit to consumers.
Take a look this graphic and find out more about America’s biggest agricultural product.
Related Story: Do Biofuels Still Have A Future In The US? – Interview with Jim Lane
Related News: United Airlines to Fly First Ever US Commercial Flight on Biofuels
Related News: EU Rejects French Study Claiming Links between Monsanto Corn & Cancer
via LearnStuff